Live Willow Staking
The focus of this project was to use live willow stakes as protection against streambank erosion.
- Date: March 2021
- Client: Individual Homeowner
- Project Type: Streambank Protection
About this Project
Live willow staking is a form of natural, green infrastructure that reintroduces plant life directly in the places that need it most, streambanks.
- Low cost
- Easy to install
- Creates plant biodiversity
- Provides habitat and food for terrestrial and avian wildlife
This homeowner contacted OWS because their streambank was eroding so badly that their fence and trees were falling into the stream.
Since their streambank was completely bare with a steep, vertical slope, live willow staking was the best way to quickly get plant roots into the earth to help hold the remaing bank in place.
Live willow stakes are stem cuttings taken from various willow and dogwood species during the dormant season and inserted into the streambank usually at a slight angle. The willow stakes will quickly take root and begin to bud and eventually will sprout into full grown shrubs and trees. This is a great way to prevent further soil loss.
Pictured to the right you can also see bundles of live willow stakes inserted horizontally into the streambank to also provide more roots and plant life working as bank protection.
